Early Americans relied on the abundance of nature to re-create their Christmas customs. You can use some of the same seasonal elements to make simple and natural holiday decorations for your own home. Here, kumquats and cinnamon sticks add zest to a cranberry garland.

« Previous |  1 of 1  | Next »

What You Need:

• Natural-color quilting thread
• Monofilament, or dental floss
• 1-1/2-inch-long needle
• Thimble (optional)
• Fresh kumquats
• Fresh cranberries (do not use frozen)
• 1-inch-long cinnamon sticks

Instructions:

1. Thread the needle with a workable length of thread, about 36 to 45 inches; knot one end.

2. String fruits and cinnamon sticks. Follow this order: cranberry, cinnamon stick, cranberry, kumquat. Repeat until the thread is full. Note: Thread kumquats lengthwise from end-to-end; thread cinnamon sticks through the hollow part of the center.

3. Make enough strands to fill the tree. Strands may be tied together to form one garland or left short.